Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation

New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Are Causing Confusion. Here’s What to Know

Should you start mammograms at 40 or 50? Here’s what the latest screening guidelines mean and how to make the best decision for your health.

Make Moves Against Breast Cancer 5K Debuts in Blacksburg

Saturday, April 25, proved to be a picture-perfect day in Blacksburg, Virginia, as 98 participants laced up their running shoes for our first annual Make Moves Against Breast Cancer 5K. Between the runners, walkers, and the dedicated supporters cheering from the sidelines, the energy was electric. Thanks to our incredible sponsors and the relentless fundraising…
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April Is National Volunteer Month: Make a Difference with VBCF

By Nikki Jennings, VBCF Resource Coordinator Did you know that April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month? VBCF celebrates the hard work and dedication of volunteers year-round, not just during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. As a small, grassroots nonprofit, we rely on volunteers to help us accomplish our mission to empower Virginians impacted by…
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Is Thermography a Reliable Alternative to Mammograms? What the Research Says (2026 Update)

A mammogram (L) is an X-ray image of the breast that can identify tissue types with different densities, such as masses within the breast. Thermography (R) produces an infrared image that shows the patterns of heat on or near the surface of the body. Image source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Updated Findings on Thermography…
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Welcoming Three New Leaders to the VBCF Board

Please join the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation in welcoming three new members to its Board of Directors. Their professional expertise and personal commitment to the breast cancer community will help guide and strengthen VBCF’s work across Virginia. Mandi Bishop is a wife, mother, multiple business owner, entrepreneur and a breast cancer survivor of almost 20…
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How to Negotiate Medical Bills After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

The cost of medical care for cancer, or even testing for cancer, can be overwhelming. At VBCF we understand this, so we have advocated for things like Medicaid expansion, lower out-of-pocket costs for medications, keeping medical bills off of credit reports, and most recently no out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic imaging. Even with new laws and…
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2026 Virginia General Assembly Crossover Report: Major Progress on Paid Leave & Prescription Drug Costs

2026 Virginia General Assembly Crossover Report Some Great Progress to Share While we were disappointed that our 2026 State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day at the General Assembly had to be cancelled due to the snow and ice storm in Richmond, VBCF advocates have still been hard at work! Staff and advocates have been testifying in…
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An Interview with Central Virginia Sole Star Alison Holt-Fuller

Richmond transplant Alison Holt-Fuller was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago, and after going through treatment and recovery, decided to become a VBCF Sole Star to not only raise crucial funds to support others facing this disease, using her personal stories – and humor! – to raise over $8,000 for VBCF. We caught up…
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Virginia’s New Breast Imaging Law: What It Covers and Who Is Eligible

While there is much uncertainty these days regarding health care costs, there is some good news for Virginians regarding follow-up and supplemental breast imaging that is needed to diagnose or rule out breast cancer. VBCF’s advocates helped us pass legislation in 2025 that prohibits state-regulated health insurance plans from charging out-of-pocket costs (co-pays, coinsurance or…
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How My Mom Inspired My Mission — and My Sole Star Story

Guest Blogger: Brenda Karp For more than 25 years, I’ve been involved with the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. I first reached out to VBCF many years ago to volunteer, and I was assigned to help plan the Gala for the organization’s 10th Anniversary. That was the start of my journey. Over the years I continued…
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Community Partner Highlight: DECA at Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia

By: Shelley Callahan, Director of Development Our community partners are all incredibly valuable to us to help ensure that we can continue our work supporting Virginians impacted by breast cancer. From elementary school students to senior citizens, passionate individuals across the state host amazing community events during October – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month –…
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Power of Pink Roanoke Luncheon 2025: A Celebration of Strength, Hope, and Community

by Antonia Arias-Magallon, Events Manager, Southwest Virginia The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF) was honored to host this year’s Power of Pink Roanoke Luncheon at the historic Hotel Roanoke on October 21st. The event brought together survivors, supporters, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to celebrate hope, raise critical funds, and reaffirm our shared commitment to…
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Fashion on the Journey: VBCF’s 2025 Richmond Luncheon Inspires Hope

By Shelley Callahan, Director of Development The 2nd annual Richmond Power of Pink Luncheon took a different spin this year to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by hosting a luncheon and fashion show at the Jefferson Hotel on October 3rd. Thirteen breast cancer survivors and thrivers showcased fabulous outfits of their own choosing, while…
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From Chemo to Crayons: How Notes and Crayons Helped My Family Heal

Make Moves Against Breast Cancer: A New Way to Give Back

Join VBCF’s new Make Moves Against Breast Cancer campaign—raise funds your way by walking, running, biking, or moving however you like. Sign up today!

AI in Mammography: A Helpful Tool, Not a Replacement for Your Doctor

by Erin Steigleder, MSW, Director of Programs What is happening with the use of AI and mammograms? You have probably seen some headlines over the past year or two about how medicine can make use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and you may have even seen something about AI being used to “look” at mammograms.…
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How Mastectomy Boutique Fittings Work (And What Insurance Covers)

By Grace Rush, Certified Mastectomy Fitter The Pink Ribbon Boutique in Richmond, VA, specializes in helping individuals feel comfortable and supported after breast surgery by providing post-mastectomy bras, prostheses, and compression garments — all in a compassionate and welcoming environment. If you’ve never visited a mastectomy boutique before, you might be wondering: What happens during…
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Pink Shoes, Powerful Impact: Sole Stars Campaign Launches Statewide

We are excited to announce the expansion of our amazing Sole Stars campaign in 2025! As one of VBCF’s signature fundraising events, we received amazing support from our 2022, 2023, and 2024 Sole Stars. We are now expanding our Sole Stars so all Virginians can participate no matter where they live! “Sole Stars is such…
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Resource Spotlight: Virginia is for Library Lovers

by Nikki Jennings, Resource Coordinator Like any new experience in life, dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis can be unexpected, scary and downright overwhelming. Since our founding in the early 90s, we’ve made it our mission to help empower Virginians with reliable resources they can trust. In this blog, we’re offering some help to one…
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Breast Cancer Survivorship: Hope, Healing, and What Comes Next

by Kayla Jarvis, VCU MSW Intern What Is Cancer Survivorship? June is Cancer Survivorship Month which is a great time for us to focus on the hope of living a healthy life beyond a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. It’s also an opportunity for us to reflect on the advances in research, clinical trials, and…
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Beyond the Ribbon Blog